Snapshots of Success
Name: Mark
Chabot Class of: 1993
Area of Study: La Raza Studies
Career/Current Position: Mayor, City of Hayward
Higher education allows you to experience different perspectives and explore your purpose.
Mayor Mark Salinas carries on a family legacy of attending Chabot College. With little guidance and feeling lost, Mark initially dropped out of Chabot, worked in construction for a year, and decided to go back to school. This time, he encountered the Puente program and met with the counselor. His experience at Chabot College changed. The academic courses in the Puente program exposed him to books such as Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, who reminded Mark of his family roots in New Mexico. Writers like Sandra Cisneros and Julia Alvarez also changed his life.
Mark was a student of Dr. Susan Sperling in her Anthology class. She introduced him to ethnography, a methodology in research and data collection. Taking her class fueled his passion for a career in higher education.
Mark transferred to San Francisco State, where he was invited to sit at a table with professors who were leaders in the Third World Liberation Front. This was a movement in the 1960s led by students who demanded institutions of higher education offer ethnic studies courses and build ethnic studies programs. At that table, Mark was exposed to a powerful conversation between the leaders and learned how education policies can be changed for the better. This motivated Mark to attend graduate school to pursue a career in teaching. Mark attended UC Riverside to pursue a Ph.D. and was recruited by a Dean at Chabot College to teach a social science class.
For several years, Mark has taught Ethnic Studies courses at Laney College, Sociology courses at Chabot College, and served as a Political Science lecturer for CSU East Bay. In 2010, Mark was elected to Hayward City Council, and in 2022, he was elected as Mayor. Growing up in Hayward and being a long-time resident, he saw the importance of connecting schools with the City of Hayward. Over the years, Mark has worked on creating an education pipeline from preschool to college. He collaborates with Hayward Unified School District, vocational/apprenticeship programs, Chabot College, CSU East Bay, and community-based organizations to increase graduation rates among students. He was also a founder of Let’s Do Lunch & Breakfast, Too!, distributing meals at 40 different sites in Hayward where families gather.
The advice Mark gives to students is: If you do not know what you want to do in your future, go to school. Higher education allows you to experience different perspectives and explore your purpose. During your time as a college student, make the most out of the opportunities Chabot College has to offer.
Name: John
Chabot Class of: 2018
Area of Study: Social Welfare
Career/Current Position: Program Data Analyst, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Health Administration, VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Chabot was not just a stepping-stone, but a gateway to a world of opportunities.
John was born in Taiwan and relocated to the US at the age of nine. He explored various jobs and served in the Marines, where he learned the value of discipline, teamwork, and dependability. Yet, it wasn't until a decade later, after a stint in construction and becoming a father, that John found his true passion for helping others.
Encouraged by a counselor at Chabot College, he changed his major. At Chabot, John immersed himself in the community, with support from his mentors, including English Faculty Kristin Land, Math Faculty Christine Coreno, and Psychology Faculty Felicia Perez. Their belief in his abilities encouraged him to apply to UC Berkeley. For John, Chabot was not just a stepping-stone, but a gateway to a world of opportunities never imagined possible.
At UC Berkeley, John received the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarships. After graduating with his Master's in Social Welfare in 2023, he works at the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Program Data Analyst and serves as a member of UC Berkeley’s Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board at the School of Social Welfare, a role that allows him to contribute to the shaping of future generations in the field he is deeply passionate about.
Name: Karin
Chabot Class of: Union City
Area of Study: Theatre
Career/Current Position: Founder and Executive Director, Plethos Productions
There is no such thing as failure. You either win or you learn.
Karin grew up in the East Bay. While attending California Baptist University, she took summer courses at Chabot College. This helped her tremendously by cutting down on student tuition. Attending Chabot College allowed her to pursue her passion and to graduate from California Baptist University.
Karin fell in love with theater at a young age. From age 10-21, she gained experience with acting, directing, and producing. After college, Karin set her vision on becoming a drama teacher. When she arrived to interview for the teaching credential program during the 2008 recession, she found out the online credential program was canceled due to budget cuts. Instead, she found a job at The Little Gym, where she was able to showcase her talent with marketing and graphic design. Karin took a Photoshop class at Chabot College. After that one course, and lots of practice, Karin got a job in graphic design for a local theatre.
In 2017, Karin opened Plethos Productions. The company launched by crowdfunding raising $6,000 in 30 days. Through meticulous saving, reinvesting, and fundraising, Plethos turned this into six years of performances in the community. Since day one, the theatre’s goal is to increase diversity in theater - from the casting to directing, producing, and marketing - to reflect the community. Plethos Productions continues to create opportunities for people to fill many different roles.
Karin’s advice for students would be: There is no such thing as failure. You either win or you learn.